Broadband Benefit Program

APRIL 2024 UPDATE: The Affordable Connectivity Program stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024 (https://www.fcc.gov/acp). The last fully funded month of the program is April 2024. However, you may qualify for Lifeline, another FCC program that offers an internet discount. Learn more at LifelineSupport.org.

AUGUST 2023 UPDATE: With the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), you can save on your bill and may be able to get high-speed internet for free. Do you qualify? https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/do-i-qualify/ https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/

Lithium-ion battery safety

Lithium-ion batteries power smartphones, laptops, portable speakers, e-bikes and many other devices. While safe to use, they can pose risks when exposed to high temperatures or handled improperly. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch on fire, and even explode when they are damaged or when they are improperly used, charged, or stored. Lithium-ion battery fires pose a high risk of serious injury or death. To ensure people’s safety, follow these Lithium-ion Battery Safety Tips:
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Lithium-Ion-Battery-Safety
https://nj.gov/dca/news/news/2023/approved/20230630c.shtml

8 Creepy Things Your Smartphone Knows About You

https://www.rd.com/list/things-smartphone-knows-about-you/

10 Reasons Why Privacy Matters: https://teachprivacy.com/10-reasons-privacy-matters/

More online privacy & security resources: http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/howto.htm#Protect

Online safety for seniors

2021 online safety guides for seniors from ConnectSafely: Clearly written guidebooks that demystify apps, services and platforms. In PDF format; feel free to download, print and share!
https://www.connectsafely.org/seniors/

==> See more good tech advice for seniors at http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/seniors/seniors.htm#computers

Smartphone security tip

Turn off, turn on: Simple step can thwart top phone hackers…
https://apnews.com/article/technology-government-and-politics-hacking-752db867fafbaba1f9cc34f7588944c5

POSTAL SCAM ALERT: Text & Email Scams

If you get a text or email claiming to be from USPS about a package awaiting action or a delivery failure, don’t click it: Delete it immediately. This is an attempt to steal your personal information. Find out how to protect yourself.
Text: https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/smishing-package-tracking-text-scams
Email: https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/fake-usps-emails
==> More info on protecting yourself from fraud:
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/consumer.htm#fraud
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/howto.htm#Protect

Does your health app protect your sensitive info?

Health apps often ask for some of your most sensitive personal information, like your health history, medication list, or whether you have ever suffered a miscarriage. Some apps use that sensitive information only to give you services. But others may use it for their own research, to target you with ads, or disclose — or even sell — your data to other companies. And, unlike your doctor, these apps may not be covered by health privacy laws like HIPAA…
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/01/does-your-health-app-protect-your-sensitive-info

Using the Library’s Mobile Website

DID YOU KNOW? Most of our website is now MOBILE-FRIENDLY!

There is no app to download, no separate address to enter. Simply access our website http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us on your tablets, smartphones or other mobile devices and (on MOST, though not all devices) you should automatically see the mobile version of the page!  Please note that some external pages that our website links to, including our Library Catalog, are NOT currently optimized for mobile access. However, some external sites, such as elibraryNJ and EbscoHOST databases, will automatically recognize that you are a mobile device user and display the correct version.

Others, such as Freegal Music and Zinio may require you to download and install an app on your device for mobile access.Do you have a visual impairment? Viewing the mobile version of our site on your computer or laptop will provide a larger, easier-to-read typeface! Your computer will automatically display the mobile version if your screen resolution is set at 800 x 600 (or below). Even with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher, you can also get the mobile version by simply narrowing your browser window until the mobile page appears.